FCT Resident Doctors Begin 7-Day Warning Strike Over Welfare, Staffing Issues
The Association of Resident Doctors in the Federal Capital Territory (ARD-FCT) has commenced a seven-day warning strike to demand improved welfare and adequate staffing across hospitals in the FCT.
The industrial action follows an emergency general meeting held on Friday, September 5, during which members resolved to down tools over what they described as the persistent neglect by the FCT Administration in addressing long-standing challenges faced by resident doctors.
President of ARD-FCT, Dr. George Ebong, who made the announcement in Abuja, said the strike was a result of the administration's repeated failure to act despite numerous rounds of dialogue and appeals.
Key issues raised by the association include severe manpower shortages, the psychological and physical toll of excessive work hours, recent unexplained salary deductions, and non-payment of wages. Ebong noted that there has been no recruitment of doctors in the FCT since 2011.
The doctors also expressed concern over deteriorating working conditions, citing an incident where a nurse died from a snake bite at Abaji General Hospital due to inadequate emergency response facilities. They described the FCT health system as one plagued by systemic failures, requiring urgent and comprehensive reforms.
Dr. Ebong added that doctors are under immense strain, often forced to cover multiple departments, leading to burnout and compromised patient care. He referenced the recent death of a doctor in Port Harcourt, which he attributed to the psychological stress of prolonged overwork.
He further alleged that several formal notifications had been sent to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, but without any response or visible action.
ARD-FCT is demanding that the FCT Administration declare a state of emergency across the 14 district and general hospitals within the capital territory. The strike, the association said, will continue without interruption for the full seven days.
Ebong warned that if their demands are not met by the end of the warning strike, an indefinite industrial action will follow. He also called for frontline health professionals to be involved in policy and decision-making processes concerning the health sector.
Meanwhile, Minister of State for Health, Dr. Isaq Salako, during an appearance on Channels Television's Sunrise Daily, expressed optimism that ongoing talks with the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) could avert a broader strike. He acknowledged that a major point of contention remains the unpaid residency training allowance — with approximately 40% of the 2025 payment still outstanding.
“We are making progress in our discussions, and I’m hopeful that the matter will be resolved before the ultimatum expires,” Salako stated.
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